The Heavenly Demon of Terror-Chapter 281: Serenity Crater – The Forgotten Battleground

Owen's POV

The wind howled like a mourning widow, carrying with it the scent of scorched earth, faded blood, and something ancient... awakening.

I stood at the rim of the massive crater, the soil beneath me still humming with residual energy from battles long buried in the memory of the world. Deep fissures cut across the terrain like scars, and broken pillars of once-forgotten temples jutted out like bones of a godless titan.

The sky churned above me—gray clouds spiraling, forming an eye over the crater.

This is the place.

I took a deep breath and let the wild within answer.

"Time to gather the pack."

My eyes glowed a burning amber as I let out a guttural, resonant Beast Call — an unearthly howl laced with dominance, ancient power, and unshakable command. It rippled across the land like thunder rolled in language only monsters understood.

The earth rumbled.

The skies parted.

First came the Verdant Hollowstag — hooves hitting the ground with regal grace. Its antlers shimmered with glowing emerald runes, eyes wise and piercing.

It bowed slightly to me, exhaling a misty breath that healed the withered plants around its steps. "You called, King of Beasts."

Then, from the northern ridge, came a graceful blur of silver and blue.

The Seraph-Lynx pounced down, silent as wind, tail coiled with divine energy and wings folded like blades of light. It tilted its head at me, one ear twitching. "So the final hunt begins..."

Behind them came others:

Gravemaul, the subterranean giant boar, dragging crushed rock behind its plated tusks.

Cindervyra, a twin-tailed fox of ash and flame, each step lighting the dust ablaze.

And from above, a flight of Stormtalon Raptors, screeching as they circled the crater like vultures awaiting war.

I stood tall among them, feeling their presence fill the void around me.

I raised my hand, and my voice thundered, calm but unshakable.

"This is not just a hunt. This is war."

The Hollowstag's antlers flared.

The Lynx bared its fangs.

"We move at dawn. The Alpha Tyrant is near. This time, the world will witness what a real king is made of."

Thunder cracked across the sky, as if fate itself was watching.

And I smiled beneath the mask.

Let the Tyrant come.

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Owen's POV

Crimson Valley — Warfront of the End

The skies cracked open like broken glass as the Tyrant descended.

Each footstep of the Alpha echoed like a war drum. Scales forged in cosmic brimstone, horns that split lightning, and a maw lined with serrated obsidian — this wasn't just a beast.

It was annihilation given form.

Behind him, a legion of monstrosities surged like a flood: winged abominations, bone-armored leviathans, and spectral warbeasts howling in unnatural tongues.

But I raised a single fist.

My beasts understood. They didn't need words.

"This one... is mine."

The Hollowstag snorted and charged into the enemy ranks, antlers glowing like forest fire.

Seraph-Lynx vanished in a streak of divine light, striking down creatures mid-air.

Cindervyra became a whirlwind of flame, setting the skies ablaze.

The battlefield ignited, became alive — a chaos of roars, steel, magic, and fury.

But my eyes were fixed on the Tyrant.

And his on mine.

He stepped forward. So did I.

No beasts. No interference. King to King.

His voice was a low, grinding growl that shook the stones. "You are not the first to wear that crown."

I smirked beneath the mask. "But I'll be the last."

He struck first — a shockwave punch that sent mountains in the distance trembling.

I dodged, barely, the wind from his fist ripping through my coat.

I answered with Feral Blitz, claws infused with lightning and rage, carving into his armor—but barely leaving a mark.

He grinned. His tail slammed into me like a meteor, sending me crashing into a rock wall that disintegrated under impact.

Blood spilled from my lips.

He came charging, each step tearing the land apart. I roared and invoked Ironhide Burst, my skin hardening like primal steel.

We clashed — claws against talons, roars against snarls, thunder crashing each time our fists met.

He grabbed my face mid-charge and slammed me into the ground. Once. Twice. A third time.

I growled, eyes blazing.

Stormclaw Manifest.

Electricity surged, my claws glowing with divine voltage. I raked across his chest, finally slicing deep. Black blood hissed onto the ground.

He howled — grabbed my arm and bit into my shoulder.

I roared in pain, punched his jaw with a Heavenbreaker Fang, and shattered the sky.

Both of us were bloodied now.

I stood, panting, one eye bruised shut, arm trembling.

But so did he.

"I expected a beast," he growled, circling me, "not a mad god."

I spat blood. "You came for a king. Don't act surprised you found one."

Above us, the beasts screamed. Below us, the land cracked.

We lunged again.

And the war between two apex monsters raged on.